Chapter Seventy
Someone was kissing my forehead. I’d been in Garrett’s lap in the woods, but now I seemed to be lying down and someone was definitely kissing my forehead. It smelled like Garrett, so I opened my eyes and smiled when I saw him leaning over me. I tried to move, but there was someone holding my hand, so I turned to look at Liam, lying in the bed next to mine, staring back at me with his lovely violet eyes. We smiled at each other, and then it all came rushing back.
I jerked my hand away from Liam’s and threw myself at Garrett, burying my head in his chest and clasping onto his shirt for dear life. I was shaking and he looked concerned, so he gestured for someone to bring me a glass of water. I gulped it down quickly, then wrapped his arms around me again. Liam was also drinking water and speaking quietly to his father in Fae, their expressions hooded. Garrett whispered to me in French, kissing my face and my head, so I leaned up to kiss him, but quickly pulled away and covered my mouth.
“I think I could use a toothbrush.” Everyone laughed, not expecting those to be my first words upon returning to the real world after reliving my horrible trauma. A fae servant who’d been standing nearby went to the closet to get me what I needed, then showed me where the bathroom was located. Garrett helped me get up and walked me over, but I felt well enough to handle the rest myself.
When I opened the door again, dressed once more in my own clothes, Garrett was waiting patiently for his kiss. I didn’t make him suffer.. The kiss probably lasted a little longer than was proper in front of Lord Caelen, Liam and now Aedus, but I didn’t stress over it. They were all smiling when we broke apart.
Lord Caelen spoke. “You seem to be recovering from the potion. How are you feeling?”
“I feel…” Okay, so how did I feel? Better? Yes, definitely. Great? Maybe not quite yet, but soon, I think. I looked at Liam. “Untwisted?” He laughed over our private joke. “How are you feeling?” I asked.
“Untwisted as well, and perhaps a little bit in awe. The courage you showed while imprisoned was extraordinary.” I shot him a worried look. I really didn’t want tales of my captivity to spread around Faerie like some TV soap opera. “Jackie, you know I would never discuss what you went through with anyone.” He looked hurt.
“I’m sorry, Liam, Of course you wouldn’t.”
“But I think you should tell Garrett what you did to Kennet, twice. It was priceless.” He was smiling.
“Maybe, if I ever need to keep him in line.”
Kellaine entered the room gracefully, reaching out for Liam’s hand with her own. He smiled at her with great affection and I could see relief flood her eyes as he pulled her in closer and kissed her deeply. Garrett was speaking to Lord Caelen and Aedus in the corner so I was the only one to witness this tender expression of their love for each other. When they broke apart they spoke quietly, fingers entwined and bodies nestled together. Untwisted indeed.
I looked over to catch Garrett’s eye and he gestured for me to join them, so I wrapped an arm around his familiar waist and he draped his long, always comforting arm around my shoulder. I felt at home there. Not fearful or ashamed or angry.
I’d been through hell twice and made it back out alive, definitely not unscathed. This time I was determined to put my more recent emotional scars on the pile along with the other discarded ones from my past. My mountain of difficult memories may be growing, but I wouldn’t let any of it affect the happiness I’d shaped for myself or the self-confidence I’d fought so hard to build. There would still be many difficult days, but I would get through them with the help of my mate and my friends.
Garrett spoke, his eyes twinkling with happiness. “Aedus has some good news.”
I looked at Aedus, who was grinning wider than I’d ever seen him smile. “Philladre is pregnant.”
I hugged him before I even had a chance to think about whether that was the custom or not. He didn’t seem to mind and hugged me back. “I’m so happy for you both. I’ll be very happy to babysit anytime.” Garrett laughed. The fae elders had servants who had servants. Babysitters were not needed, but somehow I thought they might humor me a few times and let me watch the little one.
“It’s a girl, and we’re going to name her Jacqueline.” I couldn’t think of what to say. I just shook my head in disbelief at the honor. “You saved my life, and Philladre believes when you healed me, you healed more than just my mind.” He smiled mischievously at my shocked expression. “Whatever the reason for this incredible gift we’ve been given, all of Faerie will celebrate Jacqueline’s birth, and you will be honored here for thousands of years.”
I glanced in Garrett’s direction, wide eyed with surprise. Drawing me in closer he sent, “My love, you deserve this. Don’t argue with them, their minds are set. Now how do you feel about going home?” He sweetly kissed my cheek. His amazing sapphire eyes gleamed with relief and joy and love. His fear had been washed away along with mine.
“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.” I turned to Aedus. “Congratulations and thank you for this incredible honor. Please send Philladre my thanks as well. Lord Caelen, congratulations. You are a treasured friend to Garrett and to me and I thank you for all you’ve done.” He nodded and smiled warmly, probably amused by my little speech.
I turned to Liam and Kellaine stepped quietly aside. I sent, “How can I thank you? I owe you so much.”
His eyes sparkled with relief. “Go home with Garrett and put all of this behind you.” He turned back to Kellaine who moved into his embrace without hesitation. She smiled at me before I took Garrett’s hand and stepped into the magic.
When we appeared in the kitchen, Bridgett at the stove cooking dinner for herself. She squeaked, then ran to me, throwing her arms around my waist and giving me a huge hug. I took a look at the new blonde Bridgett and exclaimed, “Your hair looks great. Now we look a lot more like twins.”
She laughed, “Or we would, if I was tall and gorgeous like you. Are you better?”
“Yes, well, at least I think so. I don’t feel so anxious. I’m definitely smiling more. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“I’ll make you some dinner, you must be starving.”
“Thanks, I am hungry for real food. But don’t make too much. I have to eat lightly for a day or so.” Samson was scratching at the patio door so I ran over to let him in. “Who’s my best faerie dog?” I gave him a huge hug and scratched him behind the ears, then rubbed his belly as he wagged his stubby tail. I smelled assorted vampires and turned. The gang was watching me.
“You can scratch my belly any time, Jackie.” Sasha was grinning at me, looking like a movie star in his usual tight jeans and open button down white shirt. I stood and grinned back, even though Garrett was glaring at him.
I teased him. “Instead of scratching your belly, maybe I’ll just stick a pin in that ego of yours. They’ll probably be able to hear the explosion in San Francisco.”
Laughing, Sasha performed a little mock bow saying, “Welcome back, mistress.” Heinrich grinned along with his usual polite nod and William actually gave me a tentative hug.
It occurred to me that William was sort of my brother-in-law, at least according to shifter customs, so I gave him a peck on the cheek and said, “Congratulations, William. You’re a brave man.” Bridgett snorted, then laughed louder than any of us.
“Yeah, you’re feeling better, all right.”
And I was.
I shoved Garrett playfully for getting riled up over Sasha’s flirting. “I don’t need protection from his silliness. He likes to get a rise out of people. Anyway, I think he’s done a good job as your second.”
“An excellent job, in fact. Why don’t you tell Will and Bridgett the good news?”
“Bridgett, Lord Caelen told me that William can visit you for six days every month, and that you’ll be given those days off. You can break it up into three and three or just take the six in a row. He’ll be restricted to your suite of rooms and two designated common areas. You’ll be able to text each other whenever you want, as long as you’re not at work. You can call him once every night between eleven and one and talk for no more than thirty minutes. The fae don’t like cell phone signals. I think that this arrangement is extremely generous and…”
I couldn’t get anymore out because Bridgett had rushed to hug me with so much enthusiasm I stumbled backward into Garrett. “Thank you soooo much! You are the best sister on the entire planet.” She ran to William and threw herself into his arms and they laughed as he spun her around.
Heinrich was shaking his head. “Ain’t love grand, Sash?”
“Yeah—I guess.” Sasha’s wistful tone made me glance in his direction. Surprisingly, I sensed a fleeting stab of envy toward the young couple. He turned his gaze toward mine and slowly smiled, knowing I’d caught him in a vulnerable moment, but also certain I wouldn’t tell a soul. A second later he winked at me and switched gears.
“Let’s go feed, Rick. You coming, Will?” William was torn, but Bridgett gave him a gentle nudge toward the others and went back to the stove to finish the meal. The three of them left and I ate dinner with my very excited and relieved sister. My handsome mate watched me, drinking a glass of red wine and appearing as happy as I’d seen him in a long time.
“So what’s next on the team calendar?”
My heart raced with excitement as I listened to Garrett speak. The trip to rescue the werewolves’ adopted kids in Los Altos would be difficult for Sinc, but getting them back safely would be a significant accomplishment for our team. I had no doubts we’d find them and only hoped they’d be healthy when we did. Taking care of Nathaniel had Garrett excited. Apparently there was some discord in their past relationship which I’m sure he’d let me in on, eventually.
I’d need to help Rob with Flynn. He’d been moved to the hospital after trying to take his own life. He was angry and frightened and desperately needed to learn to accept his shapeshifter lion self. I’d speak to Flynn, then maybe put my head together with Rob to see how we could better help other shifters in the same situation.
In a couple of months Kennet would be returned to Faerie, hopefully judged guilty, then executed. That meant Isaiah would become my houseguest while he trained me to tap into my demonic powers. Isaiah was kind of a wild card, which worried me, but if I could learn how to use a whole different set of powers, then it was worth spending time with a demon.
At least the Vamp Villa should be finished by the time he showed up, so maybe we’d house Isaiah with the nest and see how that worked out.
And we might be going to Paris in May. I grinned in Garrett’s direction, excited at the prospect of visiting such a lovely county. He caught me looking at him so he smiled his incredible smile and reached out to hold my hand. Suddenly, I wasn’t all that hungry anymore. “Bridgett…”
“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll clean up.” She giggled. “But remember, I’m leaving tomorrow at noon, so I’m going to be really selfish and ask for a little sister-talk time before I go. I’m kind of nervous.”
Garrett slapped his forehead. “Oh, I completely forgot. Lady Dinestri said you could have an extra week, since you’ve hardly had any time with Jackie.”
“Really?”
I laughed and promised to spend time with her tomorrow while Garrett reminded her that we were all her family now. Garrett would take care of all the legal red tape connected to the sale of her house to Rogues, Inc. and the opening of the club, and would send her whatever had to be signed.
“Thanks bro.” We laughed as we left the kitchen, heading not to the bedroom, but outside to the car. It only took around forty-five minutes to make it up to our usual hunting spot. The night was absolutely perfect, with a nearly full moon and thousands of glittering stars. We shifted to cheetahs and hunted and romped playfully, renewing our bond in our own unique way. When we transitioned back, we laid a blanket on the ground and stretched out under the stars to celebrate our love for each other. Soon it would be fall and much too cold for naked stargazing and the rest, but tonight, we took the time to work our own kind of magic and gently heal each other’s wounds.
We left our sanctuary reluctantly, two hours before dawn, and drove down the mountain and along the roads that cut through the ancient redwood forests of northern California. Kennet’s phantom no longer haunted me among the giant guardians. Now he had his own horrors to deal with, and I wasn’t ashamed to say I hoped they were excruciating. He’d killed his three wives, tortured his own people and turned me into his private S&M slave. No, I’d allow myself to feel no guilt over the fate I’d assigned him. That softer part of me had been toughened by each stroke of his whip.
As Garrett drove, I shook off my dark thoughts and snuggled against him, feeling the vibration in his chest as he hummed along to a song on the radio, seeming as carefree and relaxed as I’d ever seen him.
“Mine,” I sent. He chuckled and snaked his arm around my waist to pull me more tightly against his body.
“Mine.” He growled back.
Almost simultaneously, we took in a deep breath of each other’s scents, wrapping comfort, security and love around us like a warm blanket. I found myself grinning as a sublime sense of peace washed over me. Because of my own stubborn strength, Garrett’s love and the efforts of friends and team members, my confidence was fully restored and my spirit once again opened without fear to whatever came next for us. I would never forget Kennet or the darkness of my time with him, but whether he was alive or dead, I was certain Kennet would never again hold power over me.
By Gayle Parness
Copyright 2013, by Gayle Parness